Patents by Inventor Tamilarasan Mouniandy

Tamilarasan Mouniandy has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11936334
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include an array of solar panels, a drive for rotating the array about a longitudinal axis, and a mounting assembly including a plurality of posts and a pivotable frame assembly supporting the array of solar panels on the posts. The frame assembly includes a first frame tube connected to the drive and extending therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second frame tube laterally offset from the first frame tube and extending parallel to the first frame tube. The first frame tube and second frame tube are sized to support at least one solar panel of the array of solar panels thereon. The frame assembly further includes a lateral beam attached to the first frame tube and the second frame tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Rajesh Shanmugasundaram, Baskaran Subbarayan
  • Publication number: 20240072722
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. The damper assembly further includes an outer shell, a piston within and moveable relative to the outer shell, a first chamber wall and a second chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, and a valve within the chamber. The valve includes a first axial end defining a slot and is biased to a first position within the chamber in which the first axial end is spaced from the first chamber wall. The valve is moveable within the chamber from the first position to a second position to passively change a flow resistance of the damper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Joseph D. LoBue, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Milo Zabala
  • Publication number: 20240048092
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include an array of solar panels, a drive for rotating the array about a longitudinal axis, and a mounting assembly including a plurality of posts and a pivotable frame assembly supporting the array of solar panels on the posts. The frame assembly includes a first frame tube connected to the drive and extending therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second frame tube laterally offset from the first frame tube and extending parallel to the first frame tube. The first frame tube and second frame tube are sized to support at least one solar panel of the array of solar panels thereon. The frame assembly further includes a lateral beam attached to the first frame tube and the second frame tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2023
    Publication date: February 8, 2024
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Rajesh Shanmugasundaram, Baskaran Subbarayan
  • Patent number: 11831273
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include an array of solar panels, a drive for rotating the array about a longitudinal axis, and a mounting assembly including a plurality of posts and a pivotable frame assembly supporting the array of solar panels on the posts. The frame assembly includes a first frame tube connected to the drive and extending therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second frame tube laterally offset from the first frame tube and extending parallel to the first frame tube. The first frame tube and second frame tube are sized to support at least one solar panel of the array of solar panels thereon. The frame assembly further includes a lateral beam attached to the first frame tube and the second frame tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Rajesh Shanmugasundaram, Baskaran Subbarayan
  • Patent number: 11824488
    Abstract: A system including a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional and solar tracking information, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, calculate a first angle for the tracker based on the position of the sun, detect an amount of accumulation at the first specific point in time, determine a first maximum range of motion for the tracker based on the amount of accumulation, adjust the first angle for the tracker based on the first maximum range of motion for the tracker, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first adjusted angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli
  • Patent number: 11817815
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. The damper assembly further includes an outer shell, a piston within and moveable relative to the outer shell, a first chamber wall and a second chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, and a valve within the chamber. The valve includes a first axial end defining a slot and is biased to a first position within the chamber in which the first axial end is spaced from the first chamber wall. The valve is moveable within the chamber from the first position to a second position to passively change a flow resistance of the damper assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. LoBue, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Milo Zabala
  • Publication number: 20230361715
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include a rotatable tube defining a longitudinal axis and a rail mounted on the rotatable tube. The rail extends transversely outward of the tube between first and second opposed ends. The solar tracker system further includes a photovoltaic panel assembly attached to the rail and a rail connector securing the rail to the rotatable tube. The rail connector includes at least one clip attached to the rail and a lock bracket defining a notch receiving the clip therein such that the clip applies tension on the lock bracket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2022
    Publication date: November 9, 2023
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Baskaran Subbarayan, Rajesh Shanmugasundaram, Sait Abdul Kareem
  • Patent number: 11777443
    Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional information and a shadow model for determining placement of shadows based on positions of objects relative to the sun, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information for the tracker and at least one adjacent tracker, execute the shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker based on the executed shadow model, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2023
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Andrew Joseph Morse, Karthikraja Kumaresan, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli
  • Patent number: 11703887
    Abstract: A system includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional and solar tracking information and detect a first amount of DHI and a first amount of DNI at a first specific point in time. If the first amount of SHI exceeds the first amount of DNI, the controller is programmed to calculate a first angle for the tracker to maximize an amount of irradiance received by the tracker. Otherwise, the controller is programmed to calculate the first angle for the tracker based on a position of the sun associated with the first specific point in time and the plurality of positional and solar tracking information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Joseph Morse, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Tamilarasan Mouniandy
  • Publication number: 20230223893
    Abstract: A solar tracker system includes a support tube, a solar panel assembly connected to the support tube, and an active lock connected to the support tube. The active lock includes a housing defining a chamber and a seal. The seal prevents a flow of fluid through the chamber when the active lock is in a sealed state and allows the flow of fluid through the chamber when the active lock is in an unsealed state. The active lock further includes a locking system motor connected to the seal to transition the active lock between the sealed state and the unsealed state, a battery providing power to the locking system motor, and an antenna for receiving instructions controlling the locking system motor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: Joseph D. LoBue, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Milo Zabala
  • Publication number: 20230198457
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include an array of solar panels, a drive for rotating the array about a longitudinal axis, and a mounting assembly including a plurality of posts and a pivotable frame assembly supporting the array of solar panels on the posts. The frame assembly includes a first frame tube connected to the drive and extending therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second frame tube laterally offset from the first frame tube and extending parallel to the first frame tube. The first frame tube and second frame tube are sized to support at least one solar panel of the array of solar panels thereon. The frame assembly further includes a lateral beam attached to the first frame tube and the second frame tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Rajesh Shanmugasundaram, Baskaran Subbarayan
  • Publication number: 20230198458
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include an array of solar panels, a drive for rotating the array about a longitudinal axis, and a mounting assembly including a plurality of posts and a pivotable frame assembly supporting the array of solar panels on the posts. The frame assembly includes a first frame tube connected to the drive and extending therefrom in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis and a second frame tube laterally offset from the first frame tube and extending parallel to the first frame tube. The first frame tube and second frame tube are sized to support at least one solar panel of the array of solar panels thereon. The frame assembly further includes a lateral beam attached to the first frame tube and the second frame tube.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Rajesh Shanmugasundaram, Baskaran Subbarayan
  • Publication number: 20230155541
    Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional information and a shadow model for determining placement of shadows based on positions of objects relative to the sun, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information for the tracker and at least one adjacent tracker, execute the shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker based on the executed shadow model, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2023
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Andrew Joseph Morse, Karthikraja Kumaresan, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli
  • Patent number: 11632074
    Abstract: A solar tracker system includes a torque tube, a solar panel assembly attached to the torque tube, a housing defining a chamber and a fluid passageway extending from the chamber, and an active lock connected to a seal configured to prevent a flow path of fluid while in a sealed state and allow the flow path of fluid in an unsealed state. The system further includes a controller in communication with the torque tube and the active lock. The controller is programmed to receive a command to place the solar panel assembly in a stowed position, instruct the torque tube to rotate the panel assembly to a stowed angle corresponding to the stowed position, monitor a current angle of the panel assembly, compare the current angle to the stowed angle, and instruct the seal to transition to the sealed state when the current angle is equal to the stowed angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. LoBue, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Milo Zabala
  • Patent number: 11611311
    Abstract: A system is provided. The system includes a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional information and a shadow model for determining placement of shadows based on positions of objects relative to the sun, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, retrieve height information for the tracker and at least one adjacent tracker, execute the shadow model based on the retrieved height information and the position of the sun, determine a first angle for the tracker based on the executed shadow model, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2023
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Andrew Joseph Morse, Karthikraja Kumaresan, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli
  • Publication number: 20230079793
    Abstract: A system including a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional and solar tracking information, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, calculate a first angle for the tracker based on the position of the sun, detect an amount of accumulation at the first specific point in time, determine a first maximum range of motion for the tracker based on the amount of accumulation, adjust the first angle for the tracker based on the first maximum range of motion for the tracker, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first adjusted angle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2022
    Publication date: March 16, 2023
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli
  • Patent number: 11522491
    Abstract: A system including a tracker configured to collect solar irradiance and attached to a rotational mechanism for changing a plane of the tracker and a controller in communication with the rotational mechanism. The controller is programmed to store a plurality of positional and solar tracking information, determine a position of the sun at a first specific point in time, calculate a first angle for the tracker based on the position of the sun, detect an amount of accumulation at the first specific point in time, determine a first maximum range of motion for the tracker based on the amount of accumulation, adjust the first angle for the tracker based on the first maximum range of motion for the tracker, and transmit instructions to the rotational mechanism to change the plane of the tracker to the first adjusted angle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli
  • Publication number: 20220311376
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel connected to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes a first end pivotably connected to the torque tube and a second end pivotably connected to the column. The damper assembly further includes an outer shell, a piston within and moveable relative to the outer shell, a first chamber wall and a second chamber wall within the outer shell at least partially defining a chamber, and a valve within the chamber. The valve includes a first axial end defining a slot and is biased to a first position within the chamber in which the first axial end is spaced from the first chamber wall. The valve is moveable within the chamber from the first position to a second position to passively change a flow resistance of the damper assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 13, 2022
    Publication date: September 29, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph D. LoBue, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Milo Zabala
  • Patent number: 11394343
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell. A piston is at least partially positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. An active lock of the damper assembly includes a housing positioned within the outer shell. The housing defines a cavity and a housing channel extending from the cavity to an outer fluid channel. A shaft extends into the cavity and a valve assembly is attached to the shaft. The shaft is rotatable within the cavity between an unsealed position in which the housing channel is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a sealed position in which the valve assembly is rotationally aligned with the housing channel and obstructs fluid communication between the cavity and the housing channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2022
    Assignee: FTC Solar, Inc.
    Inventors: Joseph D. LoBue, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Milo Zabala
  • Publication number: 20220224282
    Abstract: Solar tracker systems include a torque tube, a column supporting the torque tube, a solar panel attached to the torque tube, and a damper assembly. The damper assembly includes an outer shell surrounding an inner shell. A piston is at least partially positioned within the inner shell and moveable relative thereto. An active lock of the damper assembly includes a housing positioned within the outer shell. The housing defines a cavity and a housing channel extending from the cavity to an outer fluid channel. A shaft extends into the cavity and a valve assembly is attached to the shaft. The shaft is rotatable within the cavity between an unsealed position in which the housing channel is in fluid communication with the cavity, and a sealed position in which the valve assembly is rotationally aligned with the housing channel and obstructs fluid communication between the cavity and the housing channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2021
    Publication date: July 14, 2022
    Inventors: Joseph D. LoBue, Nagendra Srinivas Cherukupalli, Tamilarasan Mouniandy, Milo Zabala